Train Severs Man`s Hand

September 25, 1986

BOCA RATON -- A man was airlifted to a Miami hospital Wednesday night after his left hand was severed when he was hit by a train.

Patrick Decker, 25, of Santa Fe Trail, Boca Raton, was struck by a northbound Florida East Coast Railway train at 8:05 p.m., about a mile north of Yamato Road and Old Dixie Highway. Decker was taken to Boca Raton Community Hospital, and at 9:50 p.m. was flown by the Palm Beach County Sheriff`s Office helicopter to Cedars Medical Center in Miami.

He suffered no other injuries, authorities said.

Dr. Greg Lovaas, a specialist in microsurgery reattachment, was called in and was standing by at the hospital to perform surgery, said hospital spokeswoman Elise Boston.

Lt. Phil Sweeting said it appeared Decker was lying along the railroad tracks when he was struck. He said investigators had not determined why Decker was lying near the tracks. He said it did not appear to be a suicide attempt.